Google Earth Update Integrates Google Maps
Google has quietly released an update to Google Earth beta 4.1. The new download features unspecified bug fixes and a number of new features including a “homepage,” integration with Google Maps and support of the popular Space Navigator in the Mac OS X version of Google Earth.
Perhaps the best reason to upgrade is the new Google Maps integration. Google Earth users can now open a location in Google Maps directly from Google Earth, making it easy to share and send links over the web. The Google Maps integration is a long time coming, but welcome nevertheless.
A new maps tool icon at the top of the application bar enables the new “View in Google Maps” option. Clicking the icon opens your default browser and shows the same view in Google Maps.
Other additions include a “Starting Location” pin which acts much like a web browser homepage. The pin location appears to be determined by the localization you download. Mine defaulted to the United States. As far as I can tell this isn’t customizable, unless I missed something.
Speaking of localization, Google Earth now has language support for Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Polish, Korean, Arabic, and Czech.
Another nice new feature is a new startup “tips” window with hints and suggestions for using the app. Naturally power users can disable the feature if they don’t want it.
For Mac users there is now support for the “Space Navigator” a device designed specifically for navigation in 3d environments (Windows support has existed for some time). I’ll confess I’d never heard of the Space Navigator, but after watching the demo video below, I simply must have one. The Space Navigator is $60 (U.S.)
Google Earth continues to progress and I would recommend the update for all users for the Google Maps integration alone.
[via the GEarthBlog]
